Bear Luxe Japan (BLJ), a network of international luxury travel designers and suppliers operating in Japan, has launched a digital portal to offer international buyers a one-stop platform for marketing, reservations and payments.
This portal, touted as first of its kind in Japan, was created in response to buyers’ difficulty in communicating with independent Japanese contractors, and suppliers’ struggles to reach the international travel trade market due to limited access and the absence of a standard payment and commission system.
Founded in partnership with The Ryokan Collection and a team of luxury travel experts, BLJ has partnered with leading Japanese luxury travel providers spanning transportation, accommodation, custom experiences and DMCs.
In addition, Kyoto City Tourism Association has signed on as a partner of BLJ to develop the luxury travel segment in Japan’s former capital.
BLJ’s co-founder and COO, Hiroyuki Miyatake, said in a statement that in addition to connecting luxury travel buyers and qualified sellers, he hopes the service can provide a way for Japan’s traditional craftsmen and artisans to reach new markets and support their struggling industries.
“Through this business, I hope to build an ecosystem that will contribute to local traditions, cultures and industries,” he said. “Lifestyles in Japan have been changing, and demand for traditional arts and crafts among the younger generation has stagnated, but there is demand among overseas visitors to see and experience that side of Japan, if they can find a way to access it.”
BLJ’s supplier membership is by-invitation-only, with a dedicated editorial team experienced in luxury travel marketing to craft English marketing and sales materials for each supplier, including photos, and organise them into an easy-to-navigate, standardised format.
Buyers are then able to pursue a collection of curated products, contact the providers and make payments through the portal. Buyers receive a guaranteed minimum commission through an integrated commission processing service.
